Royals defender extends his Hatters stay

Mike Simmonds

Hatters have confirmed that Reading full back Sean Long has extended his loan deal with the club until January 2.

The defender has made five appearances for Luton since signing from the Royals last month.

Long played for the Ireland U21s in Lithuania on Friday night and flew back to Luton as he was named on the bench during the 2-0 win over Barnet on Saturday, as was winger Paddy McCourt, who won his 18th cap for Northern Ireland against Latvia.

Town boss John Still said: “Sean travelled all the way back as did Paddy, so fair play to them yo make themselves available. But when we looked at Sean he had the old matchsticks in his eye and we thought only if we have to.

“Alex (Lawless) always does a good job in that position. It was unlikely, but when he said he could get back, we said get back as you never know.

“It might have had to come on for five minutes and do a job, but he didn’t have to. It was incredible, but they wanted to get back and I admire them for that, I really do.”